MANKATO, Minn. --- Minnesota State concludes its five-game road swing this weekend in as it travels to North Dakota to take on UMary this Friday at 5:30 p.m., before facing Minot State on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

Minnesota State History: The 2025-26 season marks the 104th campaign as a varsity sport for Minnesota State men's basketball. The Mavericks are 1,475-968 (.603) in 2,443 games since the program's inception in the 1920-21 season. Since joining the NSIC prior to the start of the 2008-09 season, MSU has put together a 246-130 (.654) conference record to go with five regular-season championships and three tournament championships.

The Mavericks won the 2023-24 NSIC regular season championship with an 82-62 win over Minnesota Crookston on Feb. 23. It marked their first NSIC Championship since the 2013-14 season. MSU then went on to win the NSIC Tournament Championship with its 97-77 win over Minnesota Duluth in the finals of the conference tournament. The Mavericks would go on to win their first NCAA Championship as they defeated Nova Southeastern 88-85 in the NCAA Championship game.

Against the Marauders: Friday's game between Minnesota State and UMary marks their 22nd all-time meeting, with MSU boasting a 16-5 record against the Marauders. MSU has won its last three games against the Marauders, including a pair of wins (90-49 on road & 85-73 at home) last season.

Junior Caden Kirkman averaged 11.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game against the Marauders last season, while sophomore Will Opsahl tallied 11.0 points and 4.0 rebounds per game.

Cayden Redfield averaged 9.0 points and 2.0 rebounds per game against the Mavericks last season, while Tamarrein Henderson posted 4.0 points per game.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 16-5 record against UMary, including an 8-2 record at McDowell Activity Center.

Against the Beavers: Saturday's game between Minnesota State and Minot State marks their 16th all-time meeting, with the Mavericks leading the series 10-5. Last season, Minnesota State went 1-2 against the Beavers. MSU won its home game 96-91, but fell to the Beavers 75-72 in Minot. In the semifinals of the NSIC Tournament, Minot State bested Minnesota State 72-70.

Junior Caden Kirkman tallied 6.0 points and 2.7 rebounds per game against the Beavers, while sophomore Carson Schweim added 5.0 points and 3.0 rebounds a game.

Trey Brandt recorded 6.0 points per game against the Mavericks last season.

Head Coach Matt Margenthaler owns a 10-5 record against Minot State, including a 3-4 record at Minot State Dome.

Concerning the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the week the owner of a 7-9 record, including a 1-7 NSIC record. During its most recent outing on the road, MSU fell to St. Cloud State 75-67.

As a team, MSU is averaging 76.6 points and 37.9 rebounds per game, while shooting 43.4% from the field and 30.2% from three point range. The Mavericks have passed out 190 assists and have forced 186 turnovers.

Senior Malcolm Jones leads the Mavericks with 13.5 points and 8.1 rebounds per game this season. Junior Traijan Sain has notched 11.6 points and 3.1 rebounds per game, while junior Caden Kirkman has tallied 11.1 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Freshman Colton Benson has tallied 9.8 points a game, including a team-leading 27 three pointers. 

The Mavericks are led by Matt Margenthaler, who is in his 25th season at Minnesota State. He owns a career record of 515-232 (.690). 

Concerning the Marauders: UMary enters the week the owner of a 5-9 record, including a 3-5 NSIC record. In its most recent outing, UMary fell to Minot State 86-83 on the road.

As a team, SCSU is averaging 79.5 points and 40.1 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 42.3% from the field and 35.2% from three point range. The Marauders have passed out 187 assists and have forced 197 turnovers.

Kelton Coleman is averaging 12.7 points and 3.5 rebounds per game this season, while Cayden Redfield has tallied 10.4 points and 4.4 rebounds a game. Tshawn Bois has notched 9.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per game, while leading the team in three pointers with 25.

UMary is coached Darren Tighe who is in his first season as head coach of the Marauders and eighth season of his career. He owns a 5-9 (.357) record at UMary and a 126-79 (.615) career record.

Concerning the Beavers: Minot State enters the week the owner of an 8-6 record, including a 5-3 NSIC record. In its most recent game, Minot State bested UMary 86-83 at home.

As a team, MISU is averaging 79.9 points and 37.2 rebounds per game this season, while shooting 48.0% from the field and 33.8% from three point range. The Beavers have passed out 161 assists and have forced 166 turnovers.

Deuce Benjamin leads Minot State with 20.4 points a game and in three pointers made with 35. Sean De Kovachich is averaging 15.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game also, while Darik Dissette has tallied 13.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.

Minot State is coached Randall Herbst who is in his first season as head coach of the Beavers and his third overall season. He owns an 8-6 (.571) record at Minot State and a 46-25 (.648) career record.